I Touched a Heart...

In my work I see things the average person wouldn't see, feel more emotionally in a day than the "average Joe" at work, and experience things many wouldn't feel appropriate to discuss at the dinner table. That is the life of a nurse. This reality doesn't bother me, but I often take a step back and reflect on the rare position I step into each day I walk into the ER. No one wakes up and plans to spend hours to days behind those doors. Lives change unexpectedly each and every day through our doors and I am a part of that. 

I touched a heart...

Recently I had the opportunity to place my hand on the real flesh of a heart, press gently on the heart,  initiate a beat, and feel a pulse as a result of generated  blood flow from the contraction of my touch...wow...and I often wonder how people can work in medicine and not believe in God. The design of the human body and it's systems and how that heart pumps in the first place is so intricate and beyond incredible to have evolved from a mind of its own. 

My heart felt for this patient, as hands worked tirelessly to resuscitate and bring life back. I could only pray that if the patient didn't make it, that God was holding them tight up in heaven...

I feel honored and blessed in so many ways to work in the profession I do, and strongly feel that I have the ability to touch hearts and listen to them more than just physically. I walked into a new patient room the other day and greeted a sweet woman with, "Hello, my name is Christy and I am going to be your nurse and take great care of you today. What brings you in today?" I sat down, smiled and looked her in the eyes. She smiled back and said, "well I think just your energy is helping heal me  already!"

I forget that no patient wants to walk into the ER. I love what I do, and I love that I have the opportunity to be the hands and feet of Christ to each person I encounter, and I forget that something as simple as a smile and pure joy for life can make such a difference. People ask why I'm so happy. I am happy because I carry God's love in my heart and am open to Him shining through in my life and my work.

I think if we all remembered that God lives inside each of us and looks for a way to get out, we would share Him more. Look to touch one heart today with God's love.

My Weekend On the Mountain

I am convinced that there is nothing more beautiful than a Colorado sunset over the Rocky Mountains. I had the pleasure of spending the past weekend up in Winter Park where my husband and I led confirmation retreat though our church. 

And all weekend the teens dress up in ridiculous "team wear", play games and compete, they sing, they watch the adults put on ridiculous skits purely for their entertainment, they pray, and they bond.....

They bond because they are all united through Christ. To watch the transformation from night one, where they aren't quite sure how to act or what to think, to Sunday afternoon, where they stand up and vocalize how important faith is in their life, is absolutely incredible. 

To watch God move is simply incredible. 


They watch a clip of "The Passion" where Jesus is beaten, stripped, forced to carry a cross, and crucified, and suddenly it all becomes very real.

This man died for our sins.....Jesus died for me...and there is absolute silence.
...and as we kneel during adoration we sing:

 "I stand, with arms high and heart abandoned. In awe of the One who gave it all. I stand, my soul, Lord, to You surrendered. All I am is Yours"

 All I am is Yours

 I watched teen's lives change last weekend as they opened their hearts to Christ. I watched and was inspired to renew my own faith. It's always easy to find God on the mountain top and make promises to yourself to change things, but a whole different story when you enter back into "real life". "Retreat" needs to be a more consistent theme. Not necessarily getting away to a perfect camp getaway, but finding ways to spend time with God that renew the spirit and fire under my faith. I think this looks different for each person. For me, it's finding a place to worship with music, volunteering, and mentoring youth...activities that help me remember what is important in life. 

God, I pray that everyday my words, thoughts, and actions reflect Your love. I pray that I exude the joy that comes from Your presence in my life. Grant me the courage to follow your example, to stand up for what I believe in, and to live without fear. I pray for faith like a child: unabandoned, eager, trusting, and pure. Help me find you in all things and help me to continually renew my faith by finding ways to grow in community and be challenged to spend more time strengthening my relationship with You. All I am is Yours.

Amen